Live webchat with Mary Portas on Monday 10 May (1-2pm). PLUS, if you're over 40, a chance to take part in her next C4 series

[HelenMumsnet]

Retail guru and television presenter Mary Portas will be joining us for a live webchat on Monday 10 May from 1-2pm to discuss shopping, style and her brand new fashion crusade for women over 40.

As a mother of two, Mary juggles a television career and writing a weekly shop review column in the Telegraph with running Yellowdoor, her successful retail-branding and communications agency.

Mary's about to start filming a new Channel 4 TV series that will follow her quest to fill the gap in the fashion market for fabulous, forty-plus women.

She particularly wants to know:

• Do you think your fashion needs are served by high-street retailers?

• When you shop for fashion, is it as fun and easy an experience as it was when you were younger or do you find it a trial?

• Is there a brand on the high street that gives you what you want?

• What are the brands that are failing you?

• Would you rather see a picture of a woman your own age marketing the brands you buy or are you happy to see youthful, perfect faces?

Mary knows shops and shopping better than anyone and she'll be ready to answer all of your shopping quandaries, from where to find the best service to where to shop for the best one-offs.

Television cameras will be following Mary as she takes part in the live webchat. Your comments may be used in the television show but we won't identify you.

As part of the television series, Mary is also looking for opinionated women who will be part of her focus group, advising her on anything from where to buy the best-fitting dress to road-testing whole fashion collections.

This will involve a number of days filming in London over the next six months and will cover travel expenses for these days.

If you're interested in being involved please email [email protected] with your name, your MN nickname, your contact details and why you think you should be part of the show.

Thanks, MNHQ

BoffinMum, your statement is not outrageous. I think that every day at the school gates. We are, to a woman, a disgrace. There is one mother who always looks good - everyone wants to be like her and, guess what, she's Italian.
Probably the only non-British parent in the school. The rest of us either look like cop-outs or in fancy dress (esp the one who dresses like a fortune-teller)

Yes - more style, less fashion (but I agree with liking a bit of an edge, sometimes, not that I ever really achieve it!).

Scroll down this page to see the photo tech just put in of Mary's outfit today.

TBH I think British fashion is fashion designer led and industry-led, whereas the European uniform is more buyer-led. I don't think British designers can cut any more (in the sense of cutting a pattern).

what are the classics then?

I need it spelled out for me .

yes that's it david. i don't want to look like everyone else.

and i'd like to have fun shopping. anthropologie is fab to visit but far too expensive and all a bit floaty for me.

i don't want to be in flowery dresses that stop just below the knee and write reviews on boden complaining that the necks are all too low. it'll be elasticated trousers next..

that;s what I want - an effortless,classic look - Like Carla Bruni - I like how Jane Birkin/Francoise Hardy look - that French chic

CMotDibbler - you want someone who knows their stuff and knows how to sell and serve. I want over 40 sales team, with knowledge and care and empowered to say what they think - anyone want a job?

gotta go to a meeting now but Mary: I officially love you and I would love to think about being on your show, though may well chicken out as I am in the kind of job where probably shouldn't be on telly (aren't we all?)

fab hair Mary !

Boff, completely with you on that - had to alter a designer outfit for a client, I will not name names and to say it had been cabbaged was an understatement. And it was poorly constructed.

Don't get me started on the wedding dresses I've seen at a friends place!

ButTheKarlLagerfeldCan'tMakeADressJustDrawThemIMNSHOTiggaxx

Mary, which are your favourite high street stores?

where is the photo??

I can't find it help

Love the outfit Mary is wearing - I would never wear the shorts, but the colour combination of that khaki and that sort of dark duck egg blue is great.

Mary's 13:40:09 post

yy cos and boobs. is all those pleats and stiff fabric.

GrumpyOldHorsewoman: I love the way you tell it how it is, it's positive opinion not just depression. I think you should be able to buy really great fashionable clothes and you shouldn't need to go into youth shops to do it. I'm not sure Hollister is fashion btw

Am I too late to join in?

That comment about finding your own style is so true - trouble is, 'fashion' is so pervasive, and, while I try and aim to concentrate only on what suits me, I do wobble when I see everyone wearing jeggings, or come on here and people are discussing hareems or gladiator sandals, as if it's a given that we should all aspire to that look.

Yes Mary, pls answer Housemum's question if you possibly can. Which are your favourite high street stores?

yes yes to C Bruni and M Obama as icons.

Photo is at 13.14

Would also love to know who does Mary's hair

mary..can i ask if you agree with the thinking behind the mn campaign about the sexualisation of little girls?

thanks

see only Mary could pull off khaki and grey together